Saudi Arabia donates dates
World Food Programme would distribute 80 tonnes of dates amongst registered families in Pakistan.
ISLAMABAD (APP) - The Saudi government on Monday handed over a consignment of 80 tonnes of dates to the World Food Programme for distribution among Pakistanis to help meet their nutritional needs.
The Charge d’ Affairs of the Saudi Embassy, Habiballah Al-Bukhari, handed over the consignment of dates to World Food Representative Finbarr Curran before inking an agreement, at a ceremony held at the Saudi embassy.
The World Food Programme would distribute the dates amongst the registered families on behalf of the Government of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Charge d’ Affairs Habiballah Al-Bukhari said the gift of the dates to Pakistan was an annual feature and reflective of the fraternal bonds between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
He said the kingdom donates almost 1.9 per cent of its gross national product to around 80 countries, in the form of humanitarian, development and grant assistance.
Curran said his organisation has had a long standing relationship with Pakistan and had also worked with Saudi Arabia in assisting it to reach out to the needy people across the globe.
He said the dates provide a range of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals, and pointed that their consumption contributes towards ensuring diet diversity which in turn helps reduce micro nutrient deficiencies.
He said the WFP was looking forward to further the partnership with the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, in their efforts to extend their reach with the cooperation of the Government of Pakistan to improve food security and nutrition in the country.
